Chapter 12- Specimen Handling section 1/2

Question 1

Fasting Specimens

Answer 1

“Basal state” refers to fasting (nothing by mouth) and refraining from strenuous exercises for 8-12 hours before a blood draw.
A lipid Panel should be drawn in an SST tube when a patient is fasting.

If a patient postprandial occurs the blood test will come inaccurate. Be aware of that and put in the requisitions form.

Question 2

Times Specimens

Answer 2

1. measure blood levels of substances exhibiting diurnal( different during the day/night) variation- (e.g.., the hormone cortisol)
2. To monitor changes in a patient’s condition-(e.g.., a steady decrease in hemoglobin level)
3. To determine levels of medication in the bloodstream- known as therapeutic drug monitoring- ( digoxin cardiovascular disease.)

Question 3

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Answer 3

Blood should be drawn to coincide with the trough (lowest chemical blood level) or peak (highest chemical blood level)
1. Trough levels should be taken 15 minutes before the scheduled pharmaceutical dose.
2. The time for collecting peak levels will vary depending on the medication, the patient’s metabolism, and the route of administration ( Intravenous I.V, Intramuscalr (I.M), or by mouth (PO)
3. the lab needs to know the time of the last dose when collecting blood.

Question 4

Warmed Specimens

Answer 4

Tubes can be prewarmed in the incubator (or with a chemical hand warmer) for 30min at 37c (98.6 F)
1. cold agglutinins are antibodies produced in response to mycoplasma pneumonia infection (atypical pneumonia) the antibodies formed may attach to red blood cells below body temperature.
2. Blood is collected in pre-warmed red top tubes.

Question 5

Chilled specimens

Answer 5

Involves placing the sample in a slurry of crushed ice and water. Direct contact with ice can damage specimens and patient labels.
1. chilling the sample prevents separation from occurring within the specimen.
2. Ammonia is a standard test that is kept cool.

Question 6

Light sensitive specimens

Answer 6

Exposure to light could alter specific test results. To prevent contamination by light, wrap the tubes in aluminum foil.
If available transport in an amber or brown colored bag.